A group of junior high students from Ruch Community School met with natural resource professionals from the US Forest Service to learn about forest ecology practices. On a private landowner's property in the Applegate Valley, students used increment borers to get core samples from native conifer trees, measuring their rings and assessing climatic reasons for periods of high and low growth. They also met with a volunteer firefighter to discuss the benefits of natural wildfires and how firefighters manage them through controlled burns and suppression efforts.
In addition to the place-based learning, students operated two hydraulic log splitters to pack forty-four boxes of kindling to be sold to Ruch families and community members every Wednesday after school. A box of kindling will sell for $10. All funds will be used to support future junior high field trips central to the school's sustainability program.
In addition to the place-based learning, students operated two hydraulic log splitters to pack forty-four boxes of kindling to be sold to Ruch families and community members every Wednesday after school. A box of kindling will sell for $10. All funds will be used to support future junior high field trips central to the school's sustainability program.
